Where is the postpartum Carrie Bradshaw?

After giving birth to my first daughter, deep in the throws of postpartum depression, I asked myself one simple question:

“Where is the postpartum Carrie Bradshaw?”

Media, for me as always been a window into helping me process something. Shows like Sex & The City, Ugly Betty, and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel have comforted and inspired me while navigating new chapters of my life.

But motherhood is a topic lacking in main stream media. Don’t get me wrong—I binged “Working Moms” (Canadian) and “The Letdown” (Australian) about new moms and their rag tag mom groups. But where is the Park Slope version of this show? How was it possible America hadn’t quite literally made the postpartum Carrie Bradshaw?

It’s a question I’ve asked myself on and off through my motherhood experience. Now seven years in, I can say with confidence America doesn’t care about mothers. We are still the only industrialized nation that doesn’t provide paternity leave or postpartum care to parents at the federal level. We don’t provide childcare support. We don’t help working parents navigate impossible school and work schedules. My country’s motto about parenthood is: You asked for this! Figure it out!

And if you’re wondering what other countries do for their postpartum parents look no further to our neighbors in the North. Canada offers a year long paternity leave for BOTH parents— AND an option to extend it!! Most countries demand social and structural support for their families, and their governments provide it for them. Americans say “thank you” while paying MORE for our health care and daycare than our mortgages (those who are lucky enough to have one).

And don’t get me started on postpartum care in America. Before the pandemic 1 in 4 mothers experienced postpartum depression, anxiety, or OCD. After the pandemic, I just assume every mother I meet is at risk due to stress. And to top it off we have to watch a CANADIAN or AUSTRALIAN version of our motherhood experience? When those women get an actual paid leave!!

I didn’t make my documentary Year One (five years ago this week) to solve America’s lack of postpartum care. I made it for mothers to feel seen. I made it as a response to the loneliness I felt, the overwhelm, and the deep depression that set in.

I’m not sure much has changed for moms since Year One was released. But my hope is that this film has made it a little easier for moms to feel less alone. To be witnessed in the mist of our reshaping identities. To break the barrier down so that it won’t be so rare to hear our stories. So that when Hollywood finally does make the New York City version of a postpartum Carrie Bradshaw, they will have some great material to source from.

Erin